So don't laugh, but I've decided that 2012 is the year I get serious about skincare. For the most part, I've been pretty good to my skin over the years. I've never been a smoker, I've stayed out of the sun, and pre-baby, I always made sure to get plenty of sleep. Truth be told, however, I've been very fortunate in the complexion department when it comes to genetics. Having naturally good skin has always made me a bit lazy when it comes to my skincare regime. If I told you how many times I went to bed with a full face of makeup on, you'd probably be appalled.
Pregnancy hormones really did a number on my face. It's not that I wasn't familiar with a zit or two, but I was experiencing breakouts on a whole new level. And I'm pretty sure that being pregnant added a few years to my complexion, as well. Things started to normalize again once Cheech was born, but my skin seems to feel so much more congested and dry. Yeah, the breakouts are gone, but so it the luster.
Skincare can no longer be an option for me; It has to be a necessity. A friend of mine recommended Dermoligica's Dermal Clay Cleanser to me and after about a week of use, I'm happy to report that I have never been more thrilled with a cleanser. My skin feels squeaky clean yet not dried out, and I actually look forward to washing my face twice a day. Now that my cleanser is set, I'm in need of a great nighttime moisturizer and an eye cream that helps with the fact that I haven't had a solid 8 hours of sleep in over a year. Look, I'm no fool. I'm not trying to turn back the clock here and am fully aware that I'll never look 25 again, but slowing it down a bit would be AMAZING. Any suggestions?
Collage, fotosdealmanaque
love this idea! my favourite thing to put on my face is anything by trilogy (trilogyproducts.com). i use the energising face lotion every day and it really does a good job.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if there are any stockists in the US but I use, and love, Liz Earle's range. I recently got my Mum to start using it and she spent Christmas raving about it too.
ReplyDeleteI use Ella Bache. I have awful skin (think oily teen skin still at age 28!!) that is sensitive and combination and all kinds of complicated. I pay an arm and a leg for skincare but I figure I'll thank myself when I'm sixty!
ReplyDeleteOh, also maybe try a dermatologist/ skin specialist? My beauty therapist 'diagnoses' your skin then recommends products accordingly. After seeing 5 different dermatologists over the years the beauty therapist has come up with the best mix of products for me.
ReplyDeleteI just decided I'm not 25 anymore and tried Ole Hendricksens Red Tea anti- aging kit- the Express the Truth moisturizer is crazy awesome- a little goes along way and my combo skin feels pump balanced and hydrated. I highly recommend it!
ReplyDeleteI have problem-prone skin so I've always had to take care of it but I've stepped it up lately too. I go the Clarisonic Mia ( a sonic skin-cleansing brush) and I am loving it so far .. my skin is already looking more healthy. now I'm on the hunt for a good moisturizer and eye cream. let us know I you find something you're happy with!
ReplyDeletei have recently started applying pure hyalauronic acid (http://www.amazon.com/Hyaluronic-Acid-Serum-100-Pure/dp/B003MJ7Z0O/ref=pd_bxgy_bt_img_c) before applying my moisturizer, per the recommendation of the ladies at thebeautydepartment.com. it's super affordable, and after a few weeks i am noticing such clarity in my skin (and dare i say that the few visible blood vessels are minimizing!).
ReplyDeleteI would consider making a habit out of facials. I get gentle deep cleanse (yes! There is such a thing!) every six weeks. It's amazing how much gets trapped under your skin that can't be extruded by mere product.
ReplyDeletemy mother in law is in her 60s and has used Erno Laszlo (avail at Nordstrom) since she was in her late 20s. She is religious w/ using it and her skin looks phenomenal. My husband also started using it and it helped him out too. I think as long as you do something and are consistent with it that is the most important thing. I hate washing my face at night but I try to push myself to because I know that will help more than anything. There are a lot of good products out there. I switched from St Ives Apricot Scrub to Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging cleanser (got it at sephora) a couple months ago and have been very pleased. It smells awesome too.
ReplyDeleteI love Paula's Choice brand of products, they aren't in stores, you have to buy them online but they don't have any harmful ingredients and I trust Paula's opinions as a dermatologist. Most of all, they work for me!
ReplyDeleteI have heard some good things about Mountain Rose Herbs, if you were into using organic products. Also, people rave about <a href='http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=APIACAJYTOIKMCV0KSKAQAQ?id=P261006&categoryId=RPYMAL&shouldPaginate=">argan oil</a> (also good for people into organic stuff). ...and facial stuff should probably have some sort of spf protection in it as well. 'Protection from daily sun exposure.
ReplyDeleteIf you think about it, if we're putting this stuff on our face *every day* we really should try to find natural, gentle products that do the job.
Laura Mercier face polish and hate-to-say-it Eve Lom cleaner/moisturizer pretty much changed my life pre-wedding. Since the wedding I have totally fallen off the bandwagon (for fear of running out of these expensive gems) but this has totally inspired me to jump on it again!
ReplyDeleteOk this isn't what you asked for, but Clarisonic!!! It's seriously changing my life. Not a cheap investment, but worth every penny. I have super oily skin and it helps control it, but it also makes your other products absorb better, so I would think that if you have super dry skin, after using it your skin would absorb moisturizer better.
ReplyDeleteOne of my all time favorite products is Ultrabland from Lush. Its a cleanser that works similarly to a cold cream. I've always had a dull, uneven complexion with lots of acne. After 4 months of daily use my skin is brighter, smoother, matte, more even in color, and I only get the occasional zit around my period.
ReplyDeleteI use Angels on Bare Skin from Lush in the morning, moisturize with Skin Shangri La or Vanishing Cream, tone with plain rosewater or Lush's Tea Tree Water. I also use argon oil, but I get it at a much better price at my local heath food store than at Sephora.
And, since your skin is dry you should try a plain old yogurt mask for 15 minutes. It is cheap and makes me all glowey.
Second the need for eye cream recs. I have gone to the drugstore intending to purchase it multiple times, only to walk away empty handed. That aisle is terrifying!
ReplyDeleteI've been using Philosophy's face wash (Purity, I think) for the last few months and I love it. I use Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 45 every single day without fail. I know it isn't all natural but I haven't had even a trace of a sunburn in years and it doesn't feel (or smell) like sunscreen.
Still need a good night moisturizer. Currently trying Philosophy's Hope in a Jar, but I don't think I'm going to continue with it once I finish it. It stings my eyes if I get it anywhere close to them!
Though they can be a bit pricey, Dermalogica products are some of the very best in skin care---worth every penny. The Derma Clay Cleanser is very popular! Good choice!
ReplyDeleteOne thing to consider for your healthy skin goals is the addition of an eye cream. The older we ladies get, the more important it becomes. The skin around your eye lids does not have sebacious glands---glands that keep a normal level or moisture. This is why your eye skin is more sensitive than the rest and more prone to wrinkles and pulling and falling asleep with makeup on. lol Using an eye cream once or twice a day can keep your eye area healthy, wrinkle free and cut down on dark circles.
If you're not opposed to spending the $43 bucks, Dermalogica has a FANTASTIC eye cream called Intensive Eye Repair. For those of us who don't have wrinkles yet, it will work preventatively and keep your skin moisturized and supple. For those that do, you will notice an immediate difference in fine lines, within about one - two weeks of use. Try it only one eye as a test for two weeks, the results will astound you.
For a much less expensive alternative, Burts Bees makes a superb eye cream from their Radience line, it contains Royal Jelly (from queen bees) which is packed with vitamins and all sorts of goodness for your lids. And it comes up at about half the cost, $17.99 I believe---you can find it at CVS or Target.
Burts Bees is a pretty underestimated company IMHO. Their products have wonderful, natural ingredients. Most will actually label the exact percentage of substances that are not organic or natural.
Also on the natural tip, Thayer's Witchhazel can function as a great toner, to be used after cleansing. They come in a variety--- rose water, lavender, lemon, etc. and some like the lavender are alcohol free! A good toner can clear any excess cleanser residue or left over oils and tighten your pores.
distilled Rose water can also be used as a toner and can add just a touch of moisture.
happy cleansing!
You're wearing a moisturizer with sunscreen every day, RIGHT???
ReplyDeleteI wish I started doing *that* when I was 25.
My fave is the Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 15. And I like their Green Apple Nutrient Eye Cream, too. It smells really good.
I have always experienced occasional breakouts but this past year took a crazy turn - I never know at my age that I would have to deal with looking like a high schooler again, but apparently hormones change and do crazy things. I started seeing an aesthetician regularly and after months of her nagging me I cut dairy out of my diet. You wouldn't believe the nearly overnight change. Do the research and you may (or may not - maybe it's just me) be as surprised as I was to learn how the high amount of hormones in dairy products can impact us (even organic products).
ReplyDeleteAll that to say - clearly you don't have that severe of a problem, but just an FYI to anyone who struggles with acne. I feel as though it's my duty to tell everyone this after a year of experiencing the absolute shittiness of adult acne.
That, and periodic facials. :)
I am 44, yet everyone tells me I look in my 30's. I use the Olay exfoliating scrubber (like the Clairsonic but a third of the price and works just as well). It helps prepare your skin for skin care products. The skin care line I trust thoroughly is Dr. Hauschka. It is an organic holistic skincare line that really won't break the bank- esp if you score it on ebay.
ReplyDeleteHooked on Kiehl's avocado eye cream.
ReplyDeleteim so glad you're liking the cleanser, its done wonders for Paul too. I've been obsessing over skin crap for a while, so I can help you find other stuff too if you want. A great eye cream is Bliss Spa's "youth as we know it" eye cream, its awesome, it has retinol in it which you should look up cuz its great for anti aging and acne if you have that, i need both those things so i love the shit. etc, lets have coffee tawk
ReplyDeletenot that you have acne on your eyes
ReplyDeleteDear Celia, did you ever try a moisturizer and an eye cream? I wish there would be a manual of 'what a woman should do about her skin all the time'. Sadly, I never applied any products to my face, mistakenly thinking that that was the best way of taking care of my skin....
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear which products you are trying and how is it going.
Thanks!